Reivers sweep Marshalltown in Conference opener

Iowa Western started conference play this week picking up two wins at Marshalltown.

Lead-off slapper Carlie Benes started the day with a walk. Benes advanced to third on a stolen base followed by a wild pitch. Sydney Reamer scored Benes with a double in the right-center gap.

Julie Katz was the starting pitcher in game one. Katz and the defense did their job and returned to the bats quickly.

Iowa Western scored again in the third inning when Benes reached base by another walk. She then stole her second base of the day and advanced to scoring position. Tyla Lee singled to score Benes.  Reamer also singled but the offense could not manufacture another run.

The Tigers started the bottom of the third with Katz hitting a batter. The batter attempted to steal second base but was gunned out by freshman catcher Cassiddy Beeby. Katz followed the play with another strikeout to end the inning.

The offense finally broke out in the 5th inning with a single by Reamer. A hit by pitch added Madysen Kim to the base paths. The Tigers then had a passed ball to move the runners to second and third. An error scored Reamer and landed Alyssa Maldonado on first base. Two consecutive walks scored another run for Iowa Western. In addition, a run scored on a single by Benes which made the score 6-0 going into bottom of the 5th.

Katz shutdown Marshalltown in the 5th with three consecutive strikeouts.

Reamer hit another single the sixth inning and was moved to second by an error. Reamer was able to score by a fielding error on a ball put into play by Allison O'Driscoll.

Katz's no hitter and shut-out bid was broken in the sixth inning with a single to score a runner that reached first on a hit by pitch.

The final score of game one was 8-1. Katz Threw a one hitter with thirteen strikeouts on the day. Reamer went 4-5 in game one with one RBI and two runs scored. Carlie Benes went 1-2 with three walks, two stolen bases, one RBI, and two runs scored.

The Reivers were off to a slow start in game two. They remained scoreless until sophomore Alyssa Maldonado hit a solo shot into the wind in the second inning. Back-to-back walks and an error followed the homerun to load the bases for Iowa Western. A fielder's choice by Benes allowed the offense to produce another run.

The next inning Lee lead off with a single. Lee quickly reached third by a stolen base and a passed ball. Maldonado scored Lee with a single. O'Driscoll blasted ball number two out of the park with a two run shot which brought the lead to 5-0.

Pitcher Sydney Reamer and the defense kept the Tigers scoreless until the third inning. A double in the gap followed by a single made the score 5-1 going into the 4th.

Lily Gregory singled and scored off of a double by Reamer. Madysen Kim added a single but the Reivers left two baserunners on.

Reamer dialed in at the bottom of the 4th and struck out three batters.

The 5th inning was all about small ball as Natalie Gunn laid down a bunt to reach first base. Logon Brown had a single, moving runners to first and second. Benes laid down another bunt to load the bases for Iowa Western. Gregory grounded out to score Gunn increasing the team's lead to 6-1.

The defense quickly collected three more outs to return to the dugout. Reamer led off the inning with a single followed by another single by Kim. Both runners were able to score due to errors and wild pitches by the Tigers.

The final score was 9-1 with Reamer throwing five innings and closer Avery Doucet throwing the final inning of work.

Iowa Western continues their conference play this weekend against Southeastern and Indian Hills.